Carson Schwesinger earned the highest accolade to represent his dominant rookie season in the NFL.
Schwesinger was voted Thursday the AP Defensive Rookie of the Year at the NFL Honors. He is the second Browns rookie in team history to win the award, joining LB Chip Banks who was voted the winner in 1982.
"Carson, he came in and all he said, and all he lived, is that he was going to earn it," linebackers coach Jason Tarver said. "And that's the biggest thing that he did. He just came in and worked. His ability to, no matter what, run to the ball and get it on the ground and play with that great effort is what has earned him all these opportunities and Defensive Rookie of the Year. So really proud of how he approaches each and every day, trying to be his best. And further than that, it goes to every moment of the meeting, every play, his whole mindset is, 'I'm going to do this as good as I can. Make the play, finish in the pile, help my teammates up, and then go do it again.'"
His rise from a preferred walk-on at UCLA in 2021 to being drafted as the 33rd overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft was a feat alone, demonstrating his work ethic and skillset as a linebacker. Schwesinger worked on the scout team before he earned a scholarship in his sophomore season and eventually became the full-time starter in his redshirt junior season – a successful season that caught the attention of NFL scouts, including the Browns.
LB Carson Schwesinger was officially named the AP Defensive Rookie of the Year at the NFL Honors. Schwesinger led all rookies this season with 146 tackles and 11 tackles for loss, and was tied for second with two interceptions. He recorded double-digit tackles in seven games during the 2025 season, including a stretch of six consecutive games – the longest streak in the NFL this season. His seven double-digit tackle games were the most among NFL rookies.
Linebacker Carson Schwesinger (49) during a NFL football game between the Cincinnati Bengals and Cleveland Browns on September 7, 2025 at Huntington Bank Field. The Browns lost 16-17.
Linebacker Carson Schwesinger (49) during a NFL football game between the Cincinnati Bengals and Cleveland Browns on September 7, 2025 at Huntington Bank Field. The Browns lost 16-17.
Linebacker Jerome Baker (17), Safety Grant Delpit (9) and Linebacker Carson Schwesinger (49) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Baltimore Ravens on September 14, 2025 at M&T Bank Stadium. The Browns lost 17-41.
Linebacker Carson Schwesinger (49) during a NFL football game between the Green Bay Packers and Cleveland Browns on September 21, 2025 at Huntington Bank Stadium. The Browns won 13-10.
Linebacker Carson Schwesinger (49) during a NFL football game between the Green Bay Packers and Cleveland Browns on September 21, 2025 at Huntington Bank Field. The Browns won 13-10.
Linebacker Carson Schwesinger (49) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Detroit Lions on September 28, 2025 at Ford Field. The Browns lost 10-34.
Linebacker Carson Schwesinger (49) during a NFL football game between the Minnesota Vikings and Cleveland Browns on October 5, 2025 at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. The Browns lost 17-21.
Linebacker Carson Schwesinger (49) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Pittsburgh Steelers on October 12, 2025 at Acrisure Stadium. The Browns lost 9-23.
Linebacker Carson Schwesinger (49) during a NFL football game between the Miami Dolphins and Cleveland Browns on October 19, 2025 at Huntington Bank Field. The Browns won 31-6.
Linebacker Carson Schwesinger (49) during a NFL football game between the Miami Dolphins and Cleveland Browns on October 19, 2025 at Huntington Bank Field. The Browns won 31-6.
Linebacker Carson Schwesinger (49) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and New England Patriots on October 26, 2025 at Gillette Stadium. The Browns lost 13-32.
Linebacker Carson Schwesinger (49) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and New England Patriots on October 26, 2025 at Gillette Stadium. The Browns lost 13-32.
Linebacker Carson Schwesinger (49) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and New England Patriots on October 26, 2025 at Gillette Stadium. The Browns lost 13-32.
Linebacker Carson Schwesinger (49) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and New York Jets on November 9, 2025 at MetLife Stadium. The Browns lost 20-27.
Defensive tackle Maliek Collins (96) and Linebacker Carson Schwesinger (49) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and New York Jets on November 9, 2025 at MetLife Stadium. The Browns lost 20-27.
Linebacker Carson Schwesinger (49) during a NFL football game between the Baltimore Ravens and Cleveland Browns on November 16, 2025 at Huntington Bank Field. The Browns lost 16-23.
Safety Ronnie Hickman Jr. (33) and Linebacker Carson Schwesinger (49) during a NFL football game between the Baltimore Ravens and Cleveland Browns on November 16, 2025 at Huntington Bank Field. The Browns lost 16-23.l
Linebacker Carson Schwesinger (49) during a NFL football game between the Baltimore Ravens and Cleveland Browns on November 16, 2025 at Huntington Bank Field. The Browns lost 16-23.
Linebacker Carson Schwesinger (49) during a NFL football game between the Baltimore Ravens and Cleveland Browns on November 16, 2025 at Huntington Bank Field. The Browns lost 16-23.
Linebacker Carson Schwesinger (49) during a NFL football game between the Baltimore Ravens and Cleveland Browns on November 16, 2025 at Huntington Bank Field. The Browns lost 16-23.
Defensive tackle Mike Hall Jr. (51) and Linebacker Carson Schwesinger (49) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Las Vegas Raiders on November 23, 2025 at Allegiant Stadium. The Browns won 24-10.
Defensive tackle Mason Graham (94) and Linebacker Carson Schwesinger (49) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Las Vegas Raiders on November 23, 2025 at Allegiant Stadium. The Browns won 24-10.
Linebacker Carson Schwesinger (49) before a NFL football game between the San Francisco 49ers and Cleveland Browns on November 30, 2025 at Huntington Bank Field. The Browns lost 8-26.
Linebacker Carson Schwesinger (49) and Safety Rayshawn Jenkins (5) during a NFL football game between the San Francisco 49ers and Cleveland Browns on November 30, 2025 at Huntington Bank Field. The Browns lost 8-26.
Linebacker Carson Schwesinger (49) during a NFL football game between the San Francisco 49ers and Cleveland Browns on November 30, 2025 at Huntington Bank Field. The Browns lost 8-26.
Linebacker Devin Bush (30) and the defense during a NFL football game between the Tennessee Titans and Cleveland Browns on December 7, 2025 at Huntington Bank Field. The Browns lost 29-31.
Linebacker Carson Schwesinger (49) before a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Chicago Bears on December 14, 2025 at Soldier Field. The Browns lost 3-31.
Linebacker Carson Schwesinger (49) during a NFL football game between the Buffalo Bills and Cleveland Browns on December 21, 2025 at Huntington Bank Field. The Browns lost 20-23.
Linebacker Carson Schwesinger (49) before a NFL football game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Cleveland Browns on December 28, 2025 at Huntington Bank Field. The Browns won 13-6.
Cleveland drafted Schwesinger with the 33rd overall pick – the first pick of the second round.
Schwesinger played an integral role in the success of the Browns' defense during his rookie season. He wore the green dot for the Browns, acting as the signal caller for the defense. His standout performance during training camp earned him the opportunity to wear the green dot, and Schwesinger demonstrated continued command of the defense with his ownership of the responsibility.
"You just talk about a young man that just came in here and grabbed the reins," safeties coach Ephraim Banda said in December 2025. "And is not shy and has earned the respect of the room, all rooms in that building. He's done a hell of a job. He's playing it at an all-pro level. And personnel did a great job of identifying that player and knowing that's the human and type of person we need, not only just the player, (but also) of putting him in this situation."
From Week 1 of the season, Schwesinger showcased his positive impact on the defense. He recorded his first career sack in Week 3 against the Packers and his first career interception in Week 8 against the Patriots. Schwesinger finished the 2025 season with a team-high146 tackles and added 2.5 sacks, 11 tackles for loss, nine quarterback hits, two interceptions and three passes defensed.
Schwesinger led all rookies this season with his 146 tackles and 11 tackles for loss, and was tied for second with two interceptions. He recorded double-digit tackles in seven games during the 2025 season, including a stretch of six consecutive games – the longest streak in the NFL this season. His seven double-digit tackle games were also the most among NFL rookies.
His 146 tackles are the most by a Browns rookie since the team's return in 1999, while his two interceptions are the most by a Browns rookie since CB Denzel Ward recorded three in 2018.
Over the course of his rookie season, Tarver noted how Schwesinger consistently stayed the same person each day. That trait suited his personality on and off the field, allowing him to build on each week and separate himself as the Defensive Rookie of the Year.
"Carson is intelligent, curious, focused and physical," Tarver said. "Doesn't let anything get in his way. Prepares his body, prepares his mind to be the best every day. And as you look at the end of the year, that's what he did. He just kept going and producing the number of double-digit tackle games, they occurred in the middle after dealing with things and dealing with everything, because he kept just getting better and better. So, the end of the years is a tribute to work. And it's a tribute to him and his mindset and everything that he does, because it's all about football and it's all about making plays with and for his teammates."
